THE FIGHT AT GLENROWAN AND THE
ANNIHILATION OF THE GANG.
The end of the gang came on the following day, Monday 28, in most dramatic and
indeed tragic shape, after an encounter unequalled In extraordinary and
picturesque incidents by any similar adventure ever recounted in these colonies.
The following description is given by The Argus reporters, who were eye-witnesses
of the scene :- GLENROWAN. MONDAY NIGHT.
At last the Kelly gang and the police have come
within shooting distance, and the adventure has been the most tragic of any in
the bushranging annals of the colony. Most people will say that it is high time,
too, for the murders of the police near Mansfield occurred as long ago as the
26th of October, 1878, the Euroa outrage on the 9th December of the same year,
and the Jerilderie affair on the 8th and 9th of February, 1879. The lapse of
time induced many to believe that the gang was no longer in the colony, but
these sceptics (sic) must now be silent, The outlaws demonstrated their presence in a
brutally effective manner by the murder of the unfortuate (sic) Aaron Sherritt
at Sebastopol. Immediately on the news being spread the police were in activity.
A special train was despatched (sic) from Melbourne at 10.15 on Sunday night . At
Essendon Sub-inspector O'Connor and his five black trackers were picked up. They
had come recently from Benalla, and were en route for Queensland
again. Mr. O'Connor, however, was fortunately staying with Mrs. O'Connor's
friends at Essendon for a few days before his departure. Mrs. O'Connor and her
sister came along, thinking that they would be able to pay a visit to Beechworth. After leaving Essendon the train travelled at a great speed, and
before the passengers were aware of any accident having occurred, we had smashed
through a gate about a mile beyond Craigieburn. All we noticed was a crack like
a bullet striking the carriage. The brake of the engine had, however, been torn
away, the footbridge of the carriage shattered, and the lamp on the guard's van
destroyed. Guard Bell was looking out of the van as the time, and had a very
narrow escape. The train had to be pulled up, but after a few minutes
we started again, relying on the brake of the guard's van. Benalla was reached
at half-past 1 o'clock, and there Superintendent Hare with eight troopers and
their horses were taken on board. We were now about to enter the Kelly country,
and caution was necessary. As the moon was shining brightly, a man was tied on
upon the front of the engine to keep a look-out for any obstruction of the line.
Just before starting, however, it occurred to the authorities that it would be
advisable to send a pilot engine in advance, and the man on the front of our
engine was relieved. A start was
made from Benalla at 2 o'clock, and at 25 minutes to 3, when we were travelling
at a rapid pace, we were stopped by
the pilot engine. This stoppage occurred at Playford and Desoyre's paddocks,
about a mile and a quarter from Glenrowan. A man had met the pilot and informed
the driver that the rails were torn up about a mile and a half beyond Glenrowan,
and that the Kellys were waiting for us near at hand. Superintendent Hare at once ordered the carriage doors on each
side
to be unlocked, and his men to be in readiness. His orders were punctually
obeyed, and the lights were extinguished. Mr.
Hare then mounted the pilot-engine, along with a constable, and advanced. After
some time he returned, and directions were given for the train to push on.
Accordingly, we followed the pilot up to Glenrowan station, and disembarked.
NEXT: FIRST ENCOUNTER